Hillsboro recorder., 1887-10-20
HUNTING THE OsTRlcHEs.
Methods Employed by Arabs Of the
Desert to Catch the Big Birds.

Before starting OFF the hunters ascer-
tain where q large number of ostriohes
are to be found. They are generally
met with in the places where there is
great deal of grass, and rain has recent
" fallen. The hunters commence their
journey early in the morning. After
one or two. days travelling, when they
have arrived near the desired spot and
begin to see traces OF their game, they
halt and camp. After settling, two in
telligent slaves are sent out TO recon-
noitre. They carry goat skin at their
side and little bread. They walk on
until they find the ostriches, which are
generally on elevated places. As soon
as the game is in view one lies down to
watch and the other returns TO convey
the information to the camp. The birds
are found in troops, consisting often OF
as many as sixty. The horsemen, guild
ed by the scout, travel cautiously to-
ward the game. The nearer they APP
proach the spot the greater is their eau
ton, and when they reach the last ridge
which hides them from the ostriches
they dismount and creep forward to as
certain whether the birds are still there.
II such is the case, moderate quantity
Of water is given TO the horses, and each
man mounts again and proceeds. The
servants and camels follow little dis
tance behind, carrying with them corn
and water.
The horsemen divide and form circle
around the ostriches at such distance
as not to be noticed by them. The ser
wants halt when the horsemen separate,
and as soon as they see their masters in
position, they walk below their prey.
The ostriches flee, but are met by the
hunters, who at first only drive them
back into the circle. They are made 10
run around the ring, and in this way
their strength is exhausted Atthe first
sign of fatigue in the birds the horses
dash in, and the flock separates. The
affrighted birds open their wings, which
is sign of great exhaustion, and the
hunter, now feeling sure of his prey,
selects his bird and runs it down, and
finishes it with blow on the head with
the olive stick.
The moment the bird falls the man
quickly dismounts and cuts its throat,
taking care TO hold the head at some dis
tance from the body, so as not 10 soil
the plumage. IL is said the male bird
utters loud means while dying, but the
female dies in silence. When the os-
trich is on the point Of being taken by
the hunter, If he does not wish 10 kill
il he can easily drive il with the stick 10
where the camel is, IL is in such an OK
hausted condition. After the birds are
bled TO death they are carefully skinned,
so that the feathers may not become in
jured, and the skin is stretched upon n
tree or horse, and salt is well rubbed
into il. Then fire is built and the fat
Of the bird is boiled for o long time.
When it is very liquid IL is poured into
bottles made Of the skin OF the thigh
and leg and strongly fastened at the bot
tom. The fat Of one bird is generally
sufficient TO fill two Of these cases, and
il is said the fat would spoil in any
other vessel. After the trying out pro-
cess, the flesh is prepared and eaten by
the hunters, who dress 1t well with pep
per and -four. While all this is going
on the horses are carefully tended,
watered, and fed with corn, and the
party remains quiet for forty-eight hours
TO rest the animals. After that they re-
turn to camp or seek more game.
To the Arab, the chase Of the ostrich
has double attraction-that OF pleasure
and Of profit. The price obtained foi
the skin well cOmpensates for the ex.
pense. Not only do the rich enjoy the
pursuit, but the poor. who know how u
arrange for il as well. The usual plan
is for the poor Arab 10 bargain with
some one who is well 10 do for the use
Of his horse, camel, harness, and two
thirds Of the necessary provisions. Tho
borrower furnishes the remaining third
and the result Of the chase is divides
in the same proportion.